Bishop: Improve your life by doing NOTHING

A Church of England bishop has pleaded for Britain's workers to improve their lives - by doing nothing.

So keen on the idea of chilling out is the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading, that he has written a book on the subject called Do Nothing to Change Your Life.

Today, urging others to practice what he preaches, he is handing out egg timers to career-minded commuters at his local train station with instructions to spend three minutes of each day in silent reflection.

Publication of the bishop's book comes in the wake of a study carried out by the University of Hertfordshire which found that the pace of life in Britain's cities has increased by 10 per cent in the last decade.

A Church spokesman said: "Bishop Stephen is urging the country to discover what happens when we simply stop and rest, in a passionate plea for the nation to ditch endless 'to do' lists, constant streams of emails, and an increasingly 24/7 culture."

Bishop Stephen is urging Britons to schedule in a daily "happy hour" when TVs and radios are switched off. His also advocates "lengthy lie-ins."

In his book, on sale in Christian book shops, he argues that taking time out can lead to "an adventure of self-discovery and creativity."

He criticises time-saving devices, arguing that all they achieve is added expectations upon individuals to cram more into each day.

Bishop Stephen said: "By learning to sit still, slow down, by discerning when to shut up and when to speak out, you learn to travel through life differently.

"There is new delight and purpose in the mundane and the ordinary things of life. Making tea becomes a treat, travelling to work an adventure.

"For Christians this fresh perspective of relishing every moment with a greater attentiveness will improve our relationship with God."